DDA Chapter 22

[MrsHeg]

11/14-11/22

We're attempting to eat at Tony's before MVMCP on 11/15. It's a 5:45 p.m. ADR which is later than we'd like, but we're hoping if we check in a little early, we won't have to rush too much.

Theresa, beautiful picture! Are there no backdrop rules for your yearbook? We had a "yearbook photographer" for consistency reasons (and it definitely helped that he gave me all 400 pictures, rather than my having to get all those parents and seniors to cooperate). You didn't have to use him for senior pictures, and he charged a minimal fee ($10, I think) for a quick yearbook session.

The 14th is our departure day but we probably won't head out until after 2:00 pm, we're only driving part of the way home that day. We have breakfast at Boma at 9:45, which will serve as lunch too.

 

[KMH1]

here is the list of requirements:

 Senior must be centered in the photo facing the camera with both eyes visible.
 Pose must be a waist-up shot. No knees in frame. No hands near the face.
 Senior clothing and jewelry must fit school dress code guidelines and be “school appropriate.” Additionally, no hats will be permitted.
 No soft focus. No vignettes.
 No props (animals, sunglasses, or additional people in photo).
 Background must be simple and uncluttered. Outdoors is preferable.
 No texture, name stamping, or embossing.
 Photo must be able to print at 2-1/4” x 3-1/4” with a head size of 1/2” from bridge of the nose to the tip of the chin. We will NOT accept photos with head sizes over the 1/2” requirement or that cannot be cropped to fit the requirement. Meaning, photos must be waist up, with no full head shots. Full head shots cannot be cropped and appear larger in the yearbook than in print.

They also have a list of preferred photographers who charge (at the cheapest) $150

Gotcha! It's interesting to me that outdoor settings are preferable. Are the seniors printed in color?

 

[KMH1]

The 14th is our departure day but we probably won't head out until after 2:00 pm, we're only driving part of the way home that day. We have breakfast at Boma at 9:45, which will serve as lunch too.

Our arrival day isn't pretty. We're leaving the night before, and attempting to do our drive-through-the-night thing, but we probably won't arrive before noon. We hope to check-in, shower, and go to the MK in the evening, just to catch Spectro.

 

[MrsHeg]

Beth - Sorry about your troubles at work

Theresa - Love the picture

Bernadette - Cute dress, thanks for making the ADR

I have Aubrey today, I took her to my job and showed her off, it's been a long time since I took an infant anywhere, my hat's off to those of you who do it all the time. I'm really enjoying our day together though, she's getting around really well now and even though I laid out a blanket with all kinds of things for her to play with, she would head right off of it and find other things that intersted her, , she's nappinn now, it makes her tired doing the "Army crawl".

 

[MrsHeg]

Our arrival day isn't pretty. We're leaving the night before, and attempting to do our drive-through-the-night thing, but we probably won't arrive before noon. We hope to check-in, shower, and go to the MK in the evening, just to catch Spectro.

It's too bad our trips don't overlap, hopefully your room will be ready when you arrive and you'll get to take a nap before heading to MK.

 

[babytrees]

Gotcha! It's interesting to me that outdoor settings are preferable. Are the seniors printed in color?

yes-seniors are printed in color. I just checked out the baby/buddy ad prices I guess that is out of the question.

 

[bethbuchall]

Beth, I'm sorry that the mistreatment continues at your school. I hope the kids manage to put a smile on your face.

Thanks! We haven't started school here yet, so no kids to give me smiles. The kids are the only reason that I have just walked out with the latest issues, though.

Apparently someone was on a crime spree here last night. He or they were trying to break into homes (on our street even ) and eventually they stole a truck and that wound up flipped upside down in a ditch. We think they caught at least one person, not sure about more. We can't seem to find any official reports, just word of mouth amongst neighbors.

That is scary!

I am sorry your job is spectacularly unappreciative of you.

Thanks! And that is worded perfectly.

Beth - Sorry about your troubles at work

Theresa - Love the picture

Bernadette - Cute dress, thanks for making the ADR

I have Aubrey today, I took her to my job and showed her off, it's been a long time since I took an infant anywhere, my hat's off to those of you who do it all the time. I'm really enjoying our day together though, she's getting around really well now and even though I laid out a blanket with all kinds of things for her to play with, she would head right off of it and find other things that intersted her, , she's nappinn now, it makes her tired doing the "Army crawl".

Thanks! Oh, I would love to spend some baby time again, but I do remember how tiring it could get. Have fun!

yes-seniors are printed in color. I just checked out the baby/buddy ad prices I guess that is out of the question.

Our yearbook includes baby pictures of seniors and before/after pictures for no additional charge. Matthew decided not to submit his...guess I should have had Laura do it. There were paid ads and messages. Matthew told me that he would be extremely unhappy if I placed one, so I didn't pay any attention to prices. The funny thing is that there is one for a "Matthew" that is worded very much how I would word it. How much are yours?

 

[KMH1]

It's too bad our trips don't overlap, hopefully your room will be ready when you arrive and you'll get to take a nap before heading to MK.

A nap would be nice, but chances are, we'll be surrounded by three "too excited to sleep" children. We're staying at Coronado Springs that first night, to save our DVC points for the rest of the week, so we won't be unpacking that day.

Sounds like you're having a great day with Aubrey!

 

[KMH1]

yes-seniors are printed in color. I just checked out the baby/buddy ad prices I guess that is out of the question.

Yeah, that's a major yearbook fundraiser and one of the main way to keep book costs down. We sold full pages to businesses for $400 and to parents/students for $200 (cost). Obviously, we sold smaller increments too (1/2 page, 1/4 page, and 1/8 page). I still can't drive around town without thinking, "That business bought a yearbook ad!"

 

[KMH1]

Time to get ready for Alyssa's first soccer game!

Have a great night, DDA!

 

[babytrees]

Thanks! We haven't started school here yet, so no kids to give me smiles. The kids are the only reason that I have just walked out with the latest issues, though.


That is scary!


Thanks! And that is worded perfectly.


Thanks! Oh, I would love to spend some baby time again, but I do remember how tiring it could get. Have fun!


Our yearbook includes baby pictures of seniors and before/after pictures for no additional charge. Matthew decided not to submit his...guess I should have had Laura do it. There were paid ads and messages. Matthew told me that he would be extremely unhappy if I placed one, so I didn't pay any attention to prices. The funny thing is that there is one for a "Matthew" that is worded very much how I would word it. How much are yours?

$35 for a small photo and phrase to $200 for a full page (up to 6 pics and 6 messages). That's on top of the $65 for the price of the yearbook...Senior year is expensive.

 

[bethbuchall]

Have fun at soccer, Amy! Good luck in your first game, Alyssa!

Oh, and I should have listened to all of you and applied for that aide position in the elementary school. I was talked out of it by the other teachers at preschool, because they didn't want me to leave. Silly me...you know me better than they do and more often have my best interests at heart. There is a 2-hour/day monitor job posted now that I am definitely applying for. I just don't think I can leave the preschool with classes starting in a little over a week. It wouldn't be fair to the parents or kids. I don't give a poop about being fair to the administration any more.

 

[bethbuchall]

$35 for a small photo and phrase to $200 for a full page (up to 6 pics and 6 messages). That's on top of the $65 for the price of the yearbook...Senior year is expensive.

Yes it is! It is to get you ready for when the college bookstore calls to authorize a charge of $300 for books for the first semester. And all the fees that they nickel and dime (or is that $100 and $200) you with after giving you the price for tuition, room, and board.

 

[triplefigs]

I got my new car at lunch. I have to say I'm liking it more than I thought I would. It is an adjustment from the big honking AWD mini van I was driving.

I'm really enjoying the satellite radio. I shouldn't have turned it on. I think I get it free for 30 days.....




I have to go finish Emma's dress for school tomorrow, iron Lizzy's skirt and make sure Joe has something that fits to wear....

I'll check back later to see if anyone has any other suggestions for the ADR but I think we'll be limited by availability.

What kind of car did you get? New cars are wonderful. I got a 2010 Honda Pilot a month ago (my 1st new car I've ever had). No more minivan! It has the satellite radio too, but I haven't subscribed yet. Guess I'm going to have too as the kids love Radio Disney!

Crap!
A crown just popped completely out of my mouth. The gold one that has only been in there about 2 years. I HATE dental stuff! HATE HATE HATE it!!! I think he can just cement the crown back in there - I didn't bite it or break it or anything. But I think the filling in the tooth in front of the crown is missing a chunk. It's amazing how much you can see if you stick a really bright book light in your mouth. Of course what I saw will mean a really expensive bill in my future. Crap. Crap, crap, crap.

Hope it is fixed easily!

I'm sorry Elizabeth. That sounds painful and expensive


It's good to see so many people posting. It's nice to see Denise and Chanon All the Disney talk is making me want to go. I know that we will be there next summer, but it's going to be a short trip Disneywise since we will also have the cruise and Universal/Sea World. The next year we won't do Disney and the year after will be Hawaii. That means no real Disney time for years to come (Is it bad that I don't consider 7 days real Disney time?) Those other trips will be wonderful of course so I shouldn't mind. We are planning on staying at the Disney resort in Hawaii so maybe that will help?

Your trips sound wonderful! We are hoping to go back on DCL in the summer of 2011. Cruising is quite addictive. My cousin is stationed at the AF base in Honolulu, and I keep trying to convince John we need to road trip.

I am not sure. My cousin has a high school band trip to Florida in December. It will only be his 2nd trip. He also went to Aruba this past July with a friend. His brother has not been able to go anywhere fun and they have both had a rough year. I have been thinking about taking him to WDW for a few days, at the same time his brother goes. Not sure if it will fly with his parents or if it will happen. But it is a thought in my head the past few days.


Also announcements about DCL for 2011 coming in 9 days.

New Maleficent at Fantasmic in Disneyland pics and video

Hope you get to go, Becky! And I can't wait to hear what the DCL plans for 2011 are. We are hoping to sail the Wonder on the Mexican Riviera (like you did) and go to Disneyland/LA.

Just stopping in real quick to say hello before I go to sleep-im exhausted!! We had a 3.5 hour meeting this morning, then worked in the classroom til 430. Then 7 of us went out for dinner/dessert and just got home! It was a good day though!

Glad it went well!

We have 6 mandatory furlough (unpaid) days off. I think I have two left this month. It has been 1 day every 2 weeks. One of them is Friday. The time has been nice but the cut in pay is horrible. Some families are really struggling. We are still waiting to hear what the cuts are in the new fiscal year starting October 1. The October 1st layoff slips went in the mail because they don't have a budget set yet. They have to give 30 days notice so had to send them out. It definitely wasn't the time for me to take a promotion and have to set up a second household. Chuck & I will be fine but Disney is out this fall.

Those mandatory days are killing people here too. I'm lucky that my income isn't our only income. The young girls and single moms are having a horrible time. I'm sorry that you and Chuck will have to skip WDW, but congrats on the promotion!!! We were booked for Dec too, and we had to cancel as well (had to get a new car- my old van died).

Heidi - I just saw that the Osbourne lights start November 10th this year, that means we'll get to see them our November trips.

I love the Osbourne lights!

Kristin had her follow-up with the doctor this morning. Her toe is healing "as expected" and she can even start to wear closed-toe shoes on Tuesday. So that is a good bit of news.

Bernadette - I am glad you got the ADRs you were looking for and I hope you had some luck with a possible DDA ADR too.

Jen - I hope today is another productive set-up and get-ready day!

Elizabeth - I hope you got in to see your dentist!

Glad her toe is better.

Good Morning.

I've managed to work out the last 2 days after work This is a huge achievement for me as I HATE to workout. I know that it is for my own good and since the kids are at school and I'm already at the gym I decided it was time. Hopefully I can keep it up.

There was a big to do in our little village this morning. I haven't been able to find anything online, but the place was crawling with cops when I went to work at 4:45. Someone saw cops with a guy being held to the ground at 5:08 and Chris said there were still cops when he went to work at 8. He said there was a car laying on its roof in the ditch which I didn't see, but hey, it was dark. Maybe something will be on the news later

WTG on the exercising! Glad they caught the thief.

I didn't care for the guide we got but I still really enjoyed the tour! It was so cool to do the backstage stuff!!!


Great news for Kristin's toe. My friend at work broke her toe and torn the nail over a month ago and is still wearing open toed shoes. She went on vacation right after it happened and wore a medical "boot" there.

After 40 minutes on hold-I had to put the phone on speaker phone so I could take first day of school photos of the kids.....I was able to book 2:00pm at Mama Melrose. Can't wait to see you again-and Elizabeth and her DH, & DS & Debbie and Richie and meet Terry & Steffy!!!!!


So I finished Emma's back to school dress. Her outfit last year (with "school stuff"-crayons, books, rulers, owls....) still fit but she said that was good for Kindergarten and she needed something a bit more grown up. I wanted something that showed her personality.....

Beautiful dress!

Good Morning DDA!!!


With the fires in California comes a haze in Colorado that seems to be semi-permanent...which makes it harder to breathe for Abi and I and in turn has contributed to a migraine I think. Man I've been a whiny puss lately.

My sister BIL and nephews are coming to town this weekend.

Hope she feels better! BK was out last week for 2 days with a horrendous migraine-vomiting every 15 minutes.

Morning, everyone! It was "walk to school with your child" day here, so the kids and I left early for a somewhat chilly walk to school. 2 1/2 miles there, and 2 1/2 miles back. The kids handled the walk pretty well, but I had a hard time on the way back. I'm not used to that much exercise, yet. It was good for me, though.

Things here are going ok. The kids have settled back into their routines, and the baby and I are working out our own routine here at the house.


I'm loving all the trip talk. Keep it up, y'all. I'm living through you!

Walking to school sounds like fun!

this looks to be the front runner for the yearbook pic:

what do you all think??

Great picture!

You haven't been a whiny puss lately. I have been a whiny puss which is why I haven't been posting. I'm sure that no one is interested in how I've been mistreated spectacularly at work once again and yet still don't have the cahonies to leave. Sometimes I start to wonder how many times I'll let them kick me in the teeth and come up smiling.

Sorry they are treating you so badly.

Time to get ready for Alyssa's first soccer game!

Have a great night, DDA!

Good luck, Alyssa!

Hi, DDA! I was supposed to work tonight, but I got mandatory called off again tonight (2nd time in 2 weeks), so my paycheck will be bad. Instead, I will enjoy my evening with John and the kids. We will go to church and choir. I work tomorrow night and then am off until next Thursday! Can't wait for college football to start Sat. Bama plays VA Tech here in Atlanta. We got season tickets for Bama in Tuscaloosa this fall and will be taking the kids to their first games.

I've been working on 3 upcoming trips:

1. John's 40th b'day is Jan 9. I am surprising him with a trip to Dallas on Dec 11-14 to see the Cowboys play. We are staying at the Gaylord Texan and will see Marci! Can't wait! He will be so excited.
2. We are trying to plan a WDW for the Spring. We were to go Dec 13-20, but had to cancel for $$. I am now debating between Feb6-14 or Mar 30-April 7. Feb would be cheaper (part of it is in Value) and not as crowded (it is Pres Day weekend at the end of the trip). April is our 15th Wedding Anniv (we Disneymooned at WDW) and my b'day. But it would include Easter, be much more crowded, and more $$. Which would you pick?
3. We want to do a family roadtrip to Washington, DC/Philadelphia/Boston next summer. Since I've only been to DC (by plane), I would appreciate any help with planning for the drive (where to stop between ATL and DC), and ideas for Philly and Boston. Want to do an American History type trip. The kids are really interested in all of it, and they will be 10 next summer. Figured it would be a really fun vacation.

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[bear74]

Hi, DDA! I was supposed to work tonight, but I got mandatory called off again tonight (2nd time in 2 weeks), so my paycheck will be bad. Instead, I will enjoy my evening with John and the kids. We will go to church and choir. I work tomorrow night and then am off until next Thursday! Can't wait for college football to start Sat. Bama plays VA Tech here in Atlanta. We got season tickets for Bama in Tuscaloosa this fall and will be taking the kids to their first games.

I've been working on 3 upcoming trips:

1. John's 40th b'day is Jan 9. I am surprising him with a trip to Dallas on Dec 11-14 to see the Cowboys play. We are staying at the Gaylord Texan and will see Marci! Can't wait! He will be so excited.
2. We are trying to plan a WDW for the Spring. We were to go Dec 13-20, but had to cancel for $$. I am now debating between Feb6-14 or Mar 30-April 7. Feb would be cheaper (part of it is in Value) and not as crowded (it is Pres Day weekend at the end of the trip). April is our 15th Wedding Anniv (we Disneymooned at WDW) and my b'day. But it would include Easter, be much more crowded, and more $$. Which would you pick?
3. We want to do a family roadtrip to Washington, DC/Philadelphia/Boston next summer. Since I've only been to DC (by plane), I would appreciate any help with planning for the drive (where to stop between ATL and DC), and ideas for Philly and Boston. Want to do an American History type trip. The kids are really interested in all of it, and they will be 10 next summer. Figured it would be a really fun vacation.

Hope everyone has a great day!

sounds like a fun weekend at your house

sounds like some fun trips planning.

 

[PNO4TE]

Denise - If you are headed north next summer and are interested in history, you need to stop here! We have both Revolutionary and Civil War history as well as the lives of most of the people who were involved in that stuff. We will be lots of help once you get through SC and NC. I am also sorry to hear the economy is also affecting you all.

Theresa - I am sorry you all aren't feeling well. Love the senior picture!

Beth - I hope the aide position comes up for you. It sounds like you are really getting fed up, and for good reason!

Amy - I hope Alyssa had a ball tonight!

Vicki - I hope you got all your work done so you can spend some good quality time with Chuck this weekend.

Debbie - how fun to take Aubrey to work!!

 

[PNO4TE]

I booked my one way towncar transportation for the December whirlwind weekend. I will share the car on the way back to the airport, but needed my own way on the way to AKL! Seems even more real now!

 

[triplefigs]

Denise - If you are headed north next summer and are interested in history, you need to stop here! We have both Revolutionary and Civil War history as well as the lives of most of the people who were involved in that stuff. We will be lots of help once you get through SC and NC. I am also sorry to hear the economy is also affecting you all.

Theresa - I am sorry you all aren't feeling well. Love the senior picture!

Beth - I hope the aide position comes up for you. It sounds like you are really getting fed up, and for good reason!

Amy - I hope Alyssa had a ball tonight!

Vicki - I hope you got all your work done so you can spend some good quality time with Chuck this weekend.

Debbie - how fun to take Aubrey to work!!

Thanks,Elin. I think the kids would love it. Are you talking about Williamsburg or something else? I know we also want to go to Monticello. Probably will be gone around 10 days.

 

[bethbuchall]

Thanks for all the well wishes! There has actually been a lot of little things going on with the preschool. I feel really stupid about the biggest one, though, because I should have been more on top of it.

For a little history...I was hired in 2005-2006 as a teacher for the Two's Time class (1 day/week). Then I was asked to be a lead teacher in a 2-day class (3-year olds) in 2006-2007. Another woman, J, was hired as my assistant teacher. I've always called her my co-teacher, but I really do take the lead role and do 95% of the prep work. As lead teacher, I made more than she. The next year, the 3-day teacher and assistant teacher both quit. So, for 2007-2008, J and I were hired as co-teachers for the 3-day class. I worked only 2 of the 3 days, though, because I still had my Two's Time class one of those days. We were paid equally for the three-day class, since we were co-teachers. My actual pay for that class was 2/3 of hers, since I worked only two days. There was another teacher who worked with J on the day that I couldn't. We were still lead teacher/assistant teacher for the 2-day class. In 2008-2009, I gave up the 3-day class, because no one wanted the one day, and I did not want to give up the Two's Time program. (If you remember, I was then forced to give up the Two's Time program or do it alone, and therefore double the work, without any increase in pay.) So, last year, I switched from working 5 days a week to 2 days a week. I thought that my pay seemed awfully low last year, but I chalked it up to the fact that I had dropped so many days and didn't pursue it. This is where I dropped the ball big time!

As I was cleaning the other day, I came across old pay stubs and contracts. I was making substantially less for the 2-day class than I ever had. I found out that they decided that J and I should be co-teachers for the 2-day class, too. They cut my pay in order to increase hers so that we'd both be making the same amount. They told J this last year but didn't tell me. I clearly remember sitting in the room discussing my contract and the director saying that she realized gas and other costs were way up, but they couldn't afford to offer any of the teachers an increase. I was an idiot, because I didn't notice the difference in pay. J told me the other day that she knew that she was getting a raise last year, but she didn't know that they were going to cut my pay in order to do it. We didn't change anything about how we worked in the classroom, and I still acted as lead teacher and did a vast majority of the prep work.

Now I feel that I have been cheated and lied to. I know that I should just up and quit, but I feel an obligation to the parents and kids.

Oh, and this is a church run preschool. Lovely people, huh?

 

[my3princes]

Thanks for all the well wishes! There has actually been a lot of little things going on with the preschool. I feel really stupid about the biggest one, though, because I should have been more on top of it.

For a little history...I was hired in 2005-2006 as a teacher for the Two's Time class (1 day/week). Then I was asked to be a lead teacher in a 2-day class (3-year olds) in 2006-2007. Another woman, J, was hired as my assistant teacher. I've always called her my co-teacher, but I really do take the lead role and do 95% of the prep work. As lead teacher, I made more than she. The next year, the 3-day teacher and assistant teacher both quit. So, for 2007-2008, J and I were hired as co-teachers for the 3-day class. I worked only 2 of the 3 days, though, because I still had my Two's Time class one of those days. We were paid equally for that, since we were co-teachers. My actual pay was 2/3 of hers, since I worked only two days. There was another teacher who worked with J on the day that I couldn't. In 2008-2009, I gave up the 3-day class, because no one wanted the one day, and I did not want to give up the Two's Time program. (If you remember, I was then forced to give up the Two's Time program or do it alone without any increase in pay.) So, last year, I switched from working 5 days a week to 2 days a week. I thought that my pay seemed awfully low last year, but I chalked it up to the fact that I had dropped so many days and didn't pursue it. This is where I dropped the ball big time!

As I was cleaning the other day, I came across old pay stubs and contracts. I was making substantially less for the 2-day class than I ever had. I found out that they decided that J and I should be co-teachers for the 2-day class, too. They cut my pay in order to increase hers so that we'd both be making the same amount. They told J this last year but didn't tell me. I clearly remember sitting in the room discussing my contract and the director saying that she realized gas and other costs were way up, but they couldn't afford to offer any of the teacher an increase. I was an idiot, because I didn't notice the difference in pay. J told me that she knew that she was getting a raise, but she didn't know that they were going to cut my pay in order to do it. We didn't change anything about how we worked in the classroom, and I still acted as lead teacher and did a vast majority of the prep work.

Now I feel that I have been cheated and lied to. I know that I should just up and quit, but I feel an obligation to the parents and kids.

You DO NOT have an obligation to the parents or the kids. It is a JOB. Those kids will move on to new teachers and you will feel the same way about the next class. You need to realize that it it just a job, they will replace you and the kids will bond with the next teacher. We all feel like we have that obligation be it to patrons, coworkers...etc. The bottom line is that it is a job and you need to make an income just like everyone else. I would first secure a new job, then give a short notice, they didn't give you notice as to your pay cut afterall. That's my 2 cents. You are not a doormat and you will be just as valuable or more valuable to your next employer.